3 prospects now under pressure after Reds' lack of trade deadline moves

The Cincinnati Reds had an underwhelming trade deadline by most accounts. Yes, the Reds received a decent return from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Frankie Montas, but overall, Cincinnati's approach to this year's trade deadline left a lot to be desired.

In turn, there's now increased pressure on a number of the Reds' top prospects to live up to expectations. The Reds did little to nothing to address the current concerns, so that means the young players in Cincinnati's pipeline will have to take up the mantle going forward.

With that in mind, which three Reds prospects are now under immense pressure to step up following Cincinnati's lack of trades at this year's deadline?

Connor Phillips, Reds RHP prospect

What a year it's been for Connor Phillips — and not in a good way. The Reds right-hander has been shutdown for the past few weeks after an absolutely abysmal performance at Triple-A Louisville earlier this season. Things got so bad for Phillips that he was sent to the Reds' Arizona training complex in order work out of his funk.

The Reds need Phillips return to form, and at the very least, turn into a reliable relief arm at the back of the bullpen. The right-hander has been leapfrogged by a number of Cincinnati's pitching prospects, but that doesn't mean he's now invaluable. However, the pressure is mounting for Phillips to make some sort of contribution to the major league roster sometime in the very near future.

Rhett Lowder, Reds RHP prospect

Rhett Lowder is a former first-round pick, so there was already immense pressure attached to his performance. But after watching fellow 2023 first-rounder Paul Skenes have so much success upon his major league debut, the pressure on Lowder will only increase.

There's an outside chance that Lowder will make his major league debut later this season, and he'll definitely be in the mix for a spot in the rotation next spring. But with the aforementioned Phillips faltering this season, the Reds need Lowder to be everything they're hoping for, and more.

Jay Allen II, Reds OF prospect

The Reds picked up Joey Wiemer at the MLB trade deadline, but the former Brewers' farmhand in a work in progress. Much like Rece Hinds, Wiemer profiles as a boom-or-bust prospect. But one player the Reds really need to see more of is former first-round pick Jay Allen II.

The athletic outfield prospect has more God-given ability that almost any other player in the Reds' farm system, but the 21-year-old has yet to harness it. At High-A Dayton this season, Allen is hitting just .215. But thanks to his keen eye at the dish, Allen has a .369 on-base percentage and 14.2 walk rate.

The Reds have done a poor job of developing young outfielders. Jake Fraley will be entering Year 2 of his three-year arbitration window and Will Benson has fallen woefully short of expectations during his second season in Cincinnati. The Reds need one of their homegrown outfielders to make a splash in the big league, and Allen has the tools to be that player. But the clock is ticking. Allen has one more year in the minors before he must be added to the 40-man roster in order to avoid the Rule 5 Draft.

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